The arrival of Covid-19 in Nigeria early in 2020 has had a devastating impact on jobs and livelihoods. The lockdown that was imposed as part of containment measures against the virus severely affected incomes, as businesses were limited and restricted in the first phase of Kaduna State’s response. 

Zamfara State Governor Dr. Bello Mohammed Matawalle has launched the state’s chapter of Zamfara COVID-19 Action Recovery and Stimulus Programme, known as CARES. CARES is conceived by the Nigeria Governors Forum and introduced in all the 36 states of the federation as well as the Federal Capital Territory and being implemented with the support of the World Bank.

The Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, performed the inauguration of the Steering Committee of the State COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (EK-CARES) Programme. The State CARES Programme which is a jointly developed, World Bank Supported Programme, is aimed at mitigating the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the socio-economic well-being of Ekiti people.  

The Federal government of Nigeria has approved the appointment of Dr Abdulkarim Ali Obaje, as the National Coordinator (NC) for Federal CARES Support Unit, Nigeria COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES) being implemented in the 36 States of the federation and the FCT. The appointment has been endorsed by the World Bank Nigeria Office.

The Chairman Board of Directors of  the Cross River State CSDA Mr Toni Ikpeme has commended the National Coordinator of CSDP, Dr.  Abdulkarim Obaje for leading the CSDP in Nigeria achieve results. The Board Chairman made the commendation when he led members of the board on a visit to the NC in Abuja.

Lagos State Government has rolled out a $20 million Coronavirus (COVID-19) Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (Lagos CARES) Programme to support livelihood for poor and vulnerable households and to expand food security services in the State.

The Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello has been urged to continue the World Bank partnership for the provision of social infrastructures in the rural areas. This was made known by the people of Aseni Community in Kogi local government area of Kogi state through the Chief of the community, HRH, Alhaji Muhammed Yakubu, the Ona of Aseni during a pre-commissioning field monitoring visit by the General Manager of the Kogi State Community and Social Development Agency, Mallam Dauda O. Momoh.

March 22 every year is observed as the World Water day. And this year 2021 was no different despite the presence of COVID 19.  It is a day set aside by the United Nations, (UN) to focus attention on water by inviting stake- holders; governments, NGOs, corporate bodies, and individuals to create awareness on the need for safe water. The UN resolution 64/292 recognized water as a human right and key to the realization of all human rights. Indeed, Water is life!

In a bid to provide access to improved economic and social infrastructure to select communities in hard to reach arears, the Governor of Anambra State resuscitated and strengthened the Anambra State Community and Social Development Agency (ANCSDA) which was established in 2009 by an Act of the Anambra State House of Assembly but could not take-off until August 1, 2018.

The Katsina State Community and Social Development Agency (KTCSDA) has organized a training on Post Implementation and Micro-Projects Sustainability for 67 Community Projects Management Committees (CPMCs) and 27 Group Project Management Committees (GPMCs) from nine Participating Local Government Areas in the State.

The Zamfara Agency for Community and Social Development Project (CSDP) has charged communities in the state who benefited from the World Bank intervention projects to ensure their maintenance for future sustainability. The Permanent Secretary in charge of the agency, Alhaji Garba Muhammad gave the charge at a one-day capacity building training on facility maintenance and sustainability of Community Micro-Projects in Gusau on Saturday.

Not until recently, a lot of social developments in Nigeria were directed towards people in the urban areas while those in the rural areas that make up the bulk of the population were relatively neglected. Although the necessary materials for the development of these rural areas abound naturally within their immediate environment, their lack of awareness and participation tend to impede community development.

In line with the development of Community Driven Development Policy,  a  key deliverable of the Community and Social Development Project,  the Federal Project Support Unit has organized a 2 day Workshop with Stakeholders on Community Driven Development (CDD) Policy in Nigeria  for stakeholders of the CSDP participating States